Thank you for your reflections of May, which mirror much of my own recently. I'm glad you enjoyed The Summer Book, which I think is a perfectly meditative book for a reflective spring/summer.
Currently reading The Unmapping with Kolina of The Underlined. Agree, the unmapping is a unique concept. I'm still below 100 pages but looking forward how everything unfolds.
Hi Matthew, I’m looking forward to the Odyssey reading this summer. I had to drop out early in the Iliad due to my dad’s illness and passing…it’s been a few rough months. I need a reading project to sink my heart into 😊. The Unmapping sounds super interesting. I’m not usually a fantasy reader but might have to try that one. Happy to hear you’re doing well!
Matthew- I've never read any Asimov (and very little science fiction overall) but wanted to dip my toe in. I have Foundation on my list of future reads--do you think this would be a good first Asimov, or is there something else you might recommend?
I am reading The Robot series right now which is pretty good. It is my first time reading it and it is not difficult reading.
I have read a lot of sci-fi over the years and it spans a vast readability spectrum, from straightforward space adventures to deeply philosophical or stylistically complex texts. I think that Asimov's Robot series is on the easier end of the spectrum and the Foundation series is in the Intermediate. Another of my favorite sci-fi authors is Ben Bova. His books tend toward the accessible end of the spectrum as well.
Here is a tiered list of books/authors I have read—from most accessible to most challenging so you can get an idea of where you might like to make an entry point.
Accessible & Engaging (Great for Beginners)
These are plot-driven, character-focused stories with clear prose and compelling ideas.
Ray Bradbury – The Martian Chronicles
Orson Scott Card – Ender's Game (one of my all time favorite books)
Andy Weir – The Martian
John Scalzi – Old Man’s War
Intermediate (More Thematic Depth, Some Stylistic Challenge)
These works begin to introduce denser themes, more complex narratives, or stylistic experimentation.
Ursula K. Le Guin – The Left Hand of Darkness
Philip K. Dick – Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Arthur C. Clarke – Childhood’s End
Neal Stephenson – Snow Crash
Advanced (Dense, Experimental, or Philosophically Complex)
These books are either structurally complex, thematically dense, or require significant effort from the reader.
Frank Herbert – Dune
Stanisław Lem – Solaris
Samuel R. Delany – Dhalgren
If you like philosophy: Try The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin or Anathem by Neal Stephenson.
If you like adventure: Try Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey (The Expanse series). (One of my all time favorites)
If you like classic literature: Try Brave New World by Aldous Huxley or 1984 by George Orwell.
If you like weird fiction: Try Roadside Picnic by Arkady & Boris Strugatsky or The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin.
Thank you for the recommendations Matthew. I just ordered The Summer Book. I’d like to get more into Asimov at some point too. The TBR pile is very tall right now. Enjoy your summer.
Matthew, I am deeply honored to be included in your list, with such generous comments. It’s a pleasure to read your posts, and a privilege to count you among my readers. Thank you, always, for your kindness.
Speaking of Mandy Patinkin, one of the most beautiful and moving things I've ever seen is from Season One, Episode 14 of Criminal Minds, "Riding the Lightning." Everyone who has seen it on my recommendation has loved it. Mandy plays a key part in the episode, and his smile is the last thing we see.
It seems we all have come to comment on The Summer Book... such a wonderful, gentle read - thank you for the reminder Matthew, I haven't read Asimov although I believe all the books you mention are on our overflowing shelves somewhere... my husband is a huge fan! Do enjoy your gadget free days!
Thank you for your reflections of May, which mirror much of my own recently. I'm glad you enjoyed The Summer Book, which I think is a perfectly meditative book for a reflective spring/summer.
I came to say the same. The Summer Book is wonderful and there will be a movie based on it later this year, I think.
Thank you for this post, Matthew. The weather here has been lovely, and it’s been so nice to spend extended time outdoors. And high five to Mr. Joe :)
Currently reading The Unmapping with Kolina of The Underlined. Agree, the unmapping is a unique concept. I'm still below 100 pages but looking forward how everything unfolds.
Hi Matthew, I’m looking forward to the Odyssey reading this summer. I had to drop out early in the Iliad due to my dad’s illness and passing…it’s been a few rough months. I need a reading project to sink my heart into 😊. The Unmapping sounds super interesting. I’m not usually a fantasy reader but might have to try that one. Happy to hear you’re doing well!
I’m so glad that practice of one poem for a month is one you are going to try! I’m eager to embrace the practice myself! Thank you for the mention! ☺️
Thanks so much for the mention, Matthew. Your time outdoors and offline sounds amazing.
Two takeaways for me are the poetry practice and The Summer Book. Thank you! 😊
I love the moonin books. I should introduce them to my kids
Matthew- I've never read any Asimov (and very little science fiction overall) but wanted to dip my toe in. I have Foundation on my list of future reads--do you think this would be a good first Asimov, or is there something else you might recommend?
I am reading The Robot series right now which is pretty good. It is my first time reading it and it is not difficult reading.
I have read a lot of sci-fi over the years and it spans a vast readability spectrum, from straightforward space adventures to deeply philosophical or stylistically complex texts. I think that Asimov's Robot series is on the easier end of the spectrum and the Foundation series is in the Intermediate. Another of my favorite sci-fi authors is Ben Bova. His books tend toward the accessible end of the spectrum as well.
Here is a tiered list of books/authors I have read—from most accessible to most challenging so you can get an idea of where you might like to make an entry point.
Accessible & Engaging (Great for Beginners)
These are plot-driven, character-focused stories with clear prose and compelling ideas.
Ray Bradbury – The Martian Chronicles
Orson Scott Card – Ender's Game (one of my all time favorite books)
Andy Weir – The Martian
John Scalzi – Old Man’s War
Intermediate (More Thematic Depth, Some Stylistic Challenge)
These works begin to introduce denser themes, more complex narratives, or stylistic experimentation.
Ursula K. Le Guin – The Left Hand of Darkness
Philip K. Dick – Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Arthur C. Clarke – Childhood’s End
Neal Stephenson – Snow Crash
Advanced (Dense, Experimental, or Philosophically Complex)
These books are either structurally complex, thematically dense, or require significant effort from the reader.
Frank Herbert – Dune
Stanisław Lem – Solaris
Samuel R. Delany – Dhalgren
If you like philosophy: Try The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin or Anathem by Neal Stephenson.
If you like adventure: Try Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey (The Expanse series). (One of my all time favorites)
If you like classic literature: Try Brave New World by Aldous Huxley or 1984 by George Orwell.
If you like weird fiction: Try Roadside Picnic by Arkady & Boris Strugatsky or The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin.
Thank you for the recommendations Matthew. I just ordered The Summer Book. I’d like to get more into Asimov at some point too. The TBR pile is very tall right now. Enjoy your summer.
Thank you for including me in such a great list!
Matthew, I am deeply honored to be included in your list, with such generous comments. It’s a pleasure to read your posts, and a privilege to count you among my readers. Thank you, always, for your kindness.
Speaking of Mandy Patinkin, one of the most beautiful and moving things I've ever seen is from Season One, Episode 14 of Criminal Minds, "Riding the Lightning." Everyone who has seen it on my recommendation has loved it. Mandy plays a key part in the episode, and his smile is the last thing we see.
It seems we all have come to comment on The Summer Book... such a wonderful, gentle read - thank you for the reminder Matthew, I haven't read Asimov although I believe all the books you mention are on our overflowing shelves somewhere... my husband is a huge fan! Do enjoy your gadget free days!
The Unmapping sounds like my kind of book! I'll have to check it out :)